FIRST REGULAR SESSION

House Concurrent Resolution No. 42

95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES NASHEED (Sponsor), EL-AMIN, JONES (63), MEINERS, CARTER, BROWN (50), MEADOWS, KUESSNER, SCHIEFFER, DENISON, WALLACE, McDONALD, STORCH, OXFORD, WALTON GRAY, HOLSMAN, ROORDA, HOSKINS (80), WEBB, MORRIS, CHAPPELLE-NADAL, DOUGHERTY, ENGLUND, KIRKTON, COLONA, TALBOY, CALLOWAY, GRISAMORE AND McNEIL (Co-sponsors).

2370L.02I

            Whereas, Missouri's dropout rate in 2008 was 4.2%, the highest level in five years, an increase from a low of 3.3% in 2003; and

            Whereas, the number and percentage of school districts with a 4% or higher dropout rate had been decreasing from 270 districts (60%) in 1995 to a low of 83 districts (18%) in 2004. In 2008, 104 districts (23%) had a dropout rate in excess of 4%; and

            Whereas, the rate for minority students increased in 2008 to 8.7%, up from 6.7% in 2007. Data shows a larger decrease in the dropout rate for minority students between 1999 and 2004 than for non-minority students; and

            Whereas, high school dropouts are four times more likely to be unemployed than those who completed four or more years of college; and

            Whereas, high school graduates earn $143 more per week than high school dropouts. College graduates earn $336 more per week than high school graduates; and

            Whereas, dropouts are more likely to apply and receive public assistance than graduates of high school; and

            Whereas, dropouts comprise a disproportionate percentage of the nation's prison and death row inmates. 82% of prisoners in America are high school dropouts; and

            Whereas, today, children are less likely than their parents to graduate high school, and employment and earnings for high school dropouts are at their lowest level; and

            Whereas, while the reasons why students drop out of school varies from feelings of alienation to uninteresting classes and not doing well academically, whatever the causes, Missouri can no longer afford to have students leaving school without a diploma; and

            Whereas, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is hosting a statewide Dropout Prevention Summit on Monday, April 20, 2009, to increase awareness, encourage collaboration, and facilitate action in communities that want to improve their graduation rates; and

            Whereas, while such a summit is one of many steps in reducing the dropout rate and increasing graduation rates, a comprehensive solution requires legislative participation and action:

            Now, therefore, be it resolved by the members of the House of Representatives of the Ninety-fifth General Assembly, First Regular Session, the Senate concurring therein, that to ensure that thoughtful and necessary steps be taken to reduce the dropout rate among our high school students; and

            Be it further resolved that the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate appoint a Joint Interim Committee on Dropout Prevention that is authorized to function during the legislative interim between the First and Second Regular Sessions of the Ninety-fifth General Assembly to comprehensively study and make recommendations regarding school dropout prevention; and

            Be it further resolved that the Joint Interim Committee shall prepare a final report, together with its recommendations for any legislative action deemed necessary for submission to the General Assembly prior to commencement of the Second Regular Session of the Ninety-fifth General Assembly; and

            Be it further resolved that the Joint Interim Committee may solicit input and information necessary to fulfill its obligations, including but not limited to soliciting input and information from any state department or agency the Joint Interim Committee deems relevant, schools, child advocates, the courts, and the general public; and

            Be it further resolved that the staffs of House Research, the Joint Committee on Legislative Research, and Senate Research shall provide such legal, research, clerical, technical, and bill drafting services as the Joint Interim Committee may require in the performance of its duties; and

            Be it further resolved that the actual and necessary expenses of the Joint Interim Committee, its members, and any staff assigned to the Joint Interim Committee incurred by the Joint Interim Committee shall be paid by the Joint Contingent Fund.

•